Infrared Application of the Month:
Drying Adhesive on Laminated Chip Board
A producer of laminated chipboard for worktops, kitchen surfaces and wardrobes required enhanced quality control in production. The process involves feeding sheets of chipboard under a glue application roller and then flashing off the water from this water-based adhesive, leaving the base catalyst to adhere the printed paper to the chipboard. A new system using Fast Reponse Mediumwave Infrared Heaters from Heraeus Noblelight provides a complete span of the drying area without overlap, so hot spots are eliminated, improving quality control. The efficient system also provided a reduction in power demand for the drying process.
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Infrared Application of the Month:
Curing Powdercoating on Brake Pads
A manufacturer of vehicle brake pads, shoes and linings wanted to increase production speed in one of the factory's most critical stages of production, the application of an anti-corrosion coating to brake pads. After this epoxy is applied, it must be cured. That time-consuming process caused a production bottleneck. Improved powder coating technology -- employing Heraeus Noblelight Fast Reponse Mediumwave Infrared Heaters -- increased production speed. And because IR technology applies heat only where it is needed, damage to other parts of the product was avoided.
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Tech Center Spotlight: Ceramic Glass for IR Windows
Ceramic IR is the perfect material for infrared applications where a through window is required for infrared transmission. Ceramic IR is highly permeable to thermal radiation, especially through the shortwave and mediumwave range. Typical applications include process protection, preventing airflow / cooling from heated surface, oven viewing window, UV blocking, and high temperature supporting structures.
The thermal linear expansion is nearly zero so temperature shock from cold / hot /cold is not a problem. Usability is limited only by maximum temperature range.
- Thickness 3mm ± .2
- Maximum temperature 775°C / 1430°F
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Special Designs:
M Series Modular Infrared System
With the M Series Infrared Heating Module, targeted heat can be applied quickly, easily, and efficiently for all products that require surface heating or drying.
The M Series infrared heating modules feature a rugged and durable heating field that is perfect for many industrial heating applications. Available in three widths (110mm, 220mm, 330mm), the modules can be configured in any length up to 10 feet and can be combined to make larger heating fields. The heater housing is designed to accommodate 1 to 9 heaters depending on module width. The fan cooled housing keeps the exterior safe to touch while providing the necessary cooling for the internal components. Housing made from profiled aluminum. The modules are cut to length as needed, and designed to specifically fit your application. The M Series heater modules are highly customizable from stock materials, and delivery is typically only a few days.
Learn more about the M Series Modular Infrared System from Heraeus Noblelight.
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Technical Learning Q&A: A Comparison of Convection vs. Infrared
Part 1 of 3
Q: How does heat transfer differ between convection and IR?
A: Convection can only be controlled by air temperature and airspeed. With infrared emitters, a far greater flexibility in heat up rates and temperatures can be achieved using different energy densities and wavelengths.
Q: How do the technologies compare with regard to energy efficiency?
A: Convection can waste a lot of energy when switching from large to small components. Infrared emitters can target energy specifically to areas that require heating.
Q: How long are the reaction times of the heating systems?
A: With a convection oven, reaction time may take 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the size of the oven, so an oven will be left running all-day even when there is no production. Infrared emitters can be switched on and off within seconds to suit production conditions.
Q: How does mass affect the heat-up rate?
A: In convection oven the heat up rates will be influenced by mass (number) of components. Infrared is an "energy source" and is not influenced by the number of components in the oven.
Q: How much space is required?
A: Convection takes up a large amount of floor space. Infrared is much more compact, typically 1/4 to 1/3 the space.
Q: What maintenance costs are associated with each technology?
A: Convection requires frequent maintenance (fans, filters, pipes, seals, burners) and full maintenance normally requires a complete strip down of the oven. Infrared systems typically require only minor maintenance (e.g. changing of emitters or filters).
Q: How is temperature controlled when parameters change?
A: For convection ovens it takes a long time to reduce or raise the air temperature to suit changing line conditions. IR emitters can be regulated instantly to changing conditions; a closed loop control via speed or temperature is possible.
Continued in next month's newsletter...
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That's it for this month's issue of Application Notes for IR Heating. Feel free to encourage your colleagues to subscribe. Just click HERE to send them an invitation to subscribe. It's quick, easy, FREE, and no-obligation.
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